Llanfoist to Abergavenny Shared Footbridge – Public Information Leaflet

Contents Introduction 1 Proposed Options for the Location of the Bridge 2 Environmental Constraints 3 Heritage Assets 4

Scheme Layout – the Preferred Option 5 Bridge Design 6 Sustainability Strategy 8 What Happens Next? 9

Introduction

Outline of the Scheme  Improve the facilities for pedestrians and Consultants WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff have been cyclists travelling between Llanfoist and appointed on behalf of Monmouthshire County Abergavenny; Council to develop a new and safer cycling and  Provide a safe crossing over the River Usk; and walking route from the Post Office in Llanfoist to the  Connect Llanfoist village and Abergavenny Town Hall in Abergavenny. The existing footway link town. reaches a pinch point over Abergavenny (Llanfoist) Bridge, both preventing and discouraging usage. Sustrans Involvement

Under the Active Travel Bill the council have a duty Sustrans commented that this Scheme has been to look at key walking and cycling routes and long overdue and the existing route from Llanfoist to investigate additional routes. Abergavenny is potentially too far away from the “natural” route for pedestrians which avoids what is The Scheme comprises the construction of a shared perceived as an unsafe bridge in the form of cycle path bridge and pedestrian access between Abergavenny/ Llanfoist Bridge. Llanfoist and Abergavenny over the River Usk which will then converge with the existing path on Small However, Sustrans were concerned about the direct road improvements will also be made to Merthyr route from Llanfoist to Abergavenny and therefore Road. recommend the proposed route to be as close to “how the crow flies” route as possible. By potentially Objectives of the Scheme crossing through the new housing estate and promoting the use of the proposed bridge, whilst The objectives of the scheme aim to: promoting a safe and coherent link to other routes and providing great views of the area.

Town Centre

Most direct route “as the crow flies” (1056m)

Proposed Route Option 1

Route likely if route is not direct (1459m)

Possible new route using bridge (1864m)

Funnel point for walking and cycling due to the A465

Sustrans map showing direct routes from Llanfoist to Abergavenny town

Proposed Options for the Location of the Bridge

The current proposals include three options Option 2 – indicated in Blue for the position of a shared bridge over the River Usk. Each footbridge will require the Bridge location Option 2 is located construction of footpaths on the southern approximately 800m east of Llanfoist Bridge side of the River Usk to allow access. and will require the construction of a number of footpath options (shown in purple Option 1 – indicated in Green on the figure below) on the southern side of the River Usk in order to link the paths to Bridge location Option 1 is located the existing pedestrian accesses. The approximately 300m east of Llanfoist Bridge Bridge will be located to the south of Castle and will require the construction of a Park Meadows. footpath on the southern side of the River Usk which will be positioned on the banks Option 3 – indicated in Pink of the River Usk and will travel west to link with the A4143 at Llanfoist Bridge. The Bridge location Option 3 is located directly Bridge will be located to the south of Castle adjacent to Llanfoist Bridge, and pedestrian Park Meadows. footpaths will link to the existing pedestrian accesses.

Location Option 3

Abergavenny (Llanfoist) Bridge Location Option 1

Location Option 2

Map of Abergavenny and Llanfoist showing the existing pedestrian routes (red); the proposed pedestrian routes (purple, green and blue) and the proposed locations for the Scheme (Option 1, 2 and 3).

Environmental Constraints

D esk and site studies have been The land surrounding the River Usk undertaken for a search area within a comprising Linda Vista Gardens is also radius of up to 1km for all protected and made up of species-rich meadows which notable species including all statutory and are also prone to flooding. The limits of the non – statutory designated sites. The Brecon Beacons National Park fall just impacts to relevant species have been within the 1km study area. considered. Impacts to Ecology and Biodiversity The River Usk Whilst none of the three options are likely to The River Usk has a European cause significant ecological harm it has designation Site of Special Scientific been considered that: Interest (SSSI), and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).  Option 3 is likely to have fewer ecological impacts associated with The River is designated for its function the proposed works than Option 1 which comprises important foraging and Option 2; features, and habitats for numerous  Option 1 is likely to have fewer European protected species in the area ecological impacts than Option 2; and such as: Otters, Bats, Breeding Birds and  Option 1 is the preferred option. White Clawed Crayfish, Atlantic Salmon, and Fresh Water Pearl Mussels.

Brecon Beacon National Park

Neville Hall Hospital River Gavenni

Waterloo Court

River Usk

Map showing Statutory and Non Statutory Designated sites within 1km of the proposed Scheme 4

Heritage Assets

The Heritage Assessment undertaken Impact on Cultural Heritage considered the general condition and use of Abergavenny (Llanfoist) Bridge, which The introduction of a footbridge to the area is a designated Scheduled Monument and (particularly Options 1 & 2) is considered to is therefore of national importance. have a minor impact on the settings of Llanfoist Bridge, Linda Vista Gardens, The assessment also considered a Castle Meadows, Roman fort and castle. number of other heritage assets in the area and their setting. These comprise: Conclusion The bridge will not cause harm to the  Abergavenny Castle (Scheduled significance of the settings for any of the Monument) nationally important heritage assets and it  Abergavenny (Llanfoist) Bridge will not detract from their appearance, (Scheduled Monument) historical associations or heritage value.  Linda Vista Park and Gardens (Grade II listed) The use of sympathetic materials (such as  Site of the Roman Fort (Scheduled low-key signage) will be employed to Monument) minimise impacts to setting.  Llanfoist New Cemetery (Grade II listed park and garden)

Map of Llanfoist and Abergavenny showing Cultural Heritage Assets

Scheme Layout – The Preferred Option

Location Option

The preferred location for the Scheme is Option 1 selected for the following points:

 There are no constraints along the existing infrastructure and the Option makes use of existing paths  Most direct route to Abergavenny  Reduced impact on ecology Reduced impact on the visual setting Satellite image of Llanfoist and the River Usk showing of Abergavenny Heritage sites Scheme layout for Option 1.

Zebra crossing

Gated access

Shared cycle/ footbridge Access ramp

Parking bays

Proposed cycle/ footbridge

Map of Llanfoist and River Usk showing Scheme layout for Option 1 and Improvements to Merthyr Road

Bridge Design

This level, at this particular location, is To fulfil the objective of improving known to be high (approximately 6 metres connectivity between Llanfoist and above ground level) and flooding of the Abergavenny, the proposed cycleway will surrounding plains is a common span the River Usk in a sensitive location occurrence. of high visibility and great natural beauty.

The proposed structure will be a new There are two possible scenarios; firstly Visualisation of the landmark for future generations, creating construction above flood level which will bridge (coloured new viewpoints of the adjacent historical require the construction of access ramps white) positioned at monuments surrounding it. low level, from the with significant visual and cost impact or north side of the Initial Optioneering alternatively build the structure below flood River Usk level and accept that the bridge will not be The structural arrangement of the bridge usable during extreme flood events. At this was initially influenced by the following stage we are focussing on the latter constraints: option, removing the need for significant access ramps and replacing it with smaller  Flooding earthwork alternatives.  Visual Impact  Access for disabled people  Cost Ramps were ` Traditionally, new bridges are built above envisaged to be constructed of the 1 in 100 year (plus climate change) steel and are flood level. expected to rise 6 to 8m above existing ground level

Visualisation of the

bridge (coloured

white) positioned at low level, from the north side of the River Usk

Visualisation of the bridge (coloured green) positioned at low level, from the north side of the River Usk

Structural Form

Structural forms have been determined on the basis that the bridge is constructed at a low level. The two favoured options at this stage are:

Stress Ribbon Box Girder

+ Slender appearance leads to visually + Traditional form of construction; aesthetic structural form; + Increased flexibility of structural form + Minimal visual impact; and aesthetics; + State of the art technology and + Traditional foundations can be advanced structural form; employed; + Minimal long-term maintenance; + Short installation times; + Short installation times; - High fabrication costs; + Smaller cranes required; - Regular maintenance over - Potentially requires more expensive watercourse required if painted steel is and complex foundations; used; - Greater skill and care is required - Creates a confined space inside the during construction. box which will have to be maintained/inspected regularly; - Larger cranes required during construction..

The bridge will have a 55m span and a 5m clear footway width (to be confirmed during detailed design). It is envisaged that the ramps will be constructed with earthworks.

Example of a stress ribbon bridge

Sustainability Strategy

The final design of the bridge and the  The earthwork ramps on either side of materials included have been specifically the bridge will minimise the usage of selected and carefully chosen to promote steel and concrete. sustainability and reduce the carbon impact of the Scheme.

Actions taken to minimise the carbon footprint and promote sustainability include:

 Both structural forms have high strength : weight ratios which minimise material usage and reduce the vertical forces transferred to the foundations;

 Pure Portland cement will not be specified. Instead the cement binder will be a blend of Portland cement and by-products of industrial processing such as fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS). The use of

50% GGBS can reduce embodied CO2 by 40% compared with traditional Portland cement; Principles of the Waste Hierarchy - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle  Prefabricated construction, in a quality controlled environment, will be maximised minimising site wastage;

 Enhanced durability without the need for constant cleaning and painting. An exposed concrete deck or a weathering steel construction will require minimal maintenance during the structures service life;

 The structure can be designed without bearings, which will reduce periodic maintenance and replacement works;

 Whole life cycle costs will be minimised where possible, well thought out material selection sourced as locally as possible will be sought;

What Happens Next?

Following the consultation we will consider You can also complete the Questionnaire your responses as we develop the online at: proposals further. If development consent www.MonmouthshireCountyCouncil.gov/ is granted, we anticipate that the scheme approval works could commence in April Alternatively you can provide your 2017, subject to funding approval. comments to the project team using the contact details below. How you can get involved When making comments please provide

us with your name and address, or, if you

would prefer comments to be anonymous,

Consultation Event your postcode only. It would also help us

if you identify the nature of your interest in Tuesday 13 September 2016: the project. 10am – 7pm Wednesday 14 September 2016: 10am – 7pm

‘The Gallery’ Llanfoist Village Hall

Church Lane, Abergavenny NP7 9LP

We encourage you to come along to the At the public consultation representatives consultation event to discuss the from Monmouthshire County Council and proposals in more detail with our project WSP | Parsons Brinkerhoff will be present team. If you are not able to attend this to answer any questions. event, please complete the questionnaire included with this leaflet.

For more information please contact Christian Schmidt Monmouthshire County Council, County Hall, Rhadyr, Usk, NP15 1GA Telephone: 01633 644727 Email: [email protected]